Chemicals in the Garden

Hi, I'm Lori Else, and I love to garden. A few years ago though, I just could not win! I had bugs everywhere, and when I would try to spray to get rid of them, my plants would die from the spray! Soon, my grass and surrounding lawn also started to turn brown. I had no idea what was going on.
One day, I was ranting to my son about my gardening woes. He had just graduated from a university with a degree in environmental science asked if he could come look at my spray. It turns out it contained harmful chemicals that were spreading. It was not only killing the bugs; it was killing the plants and everything else around it.
He helped me find a safer substitute, saved my future gardens, and so I started talking to my son more about environmental topics, which provides the content for this blog.

Nuclear Fallout: Five Survival Tips

Posted on:
19 June 2015

Post-apocalyptic movies and terrifying nuclear plant meltdowns are bringing awareness to the dangers of nuclear radiation. Although unlikely to occur, most states and cities have a plan in place for dealing with nuclear fallout.

If you are worried about the possibility of a nuclear fallout, the best thing you can do is be prepared. By being prepared, you will have the necessary supplies on hand to shield yourself and your family. So what should you do in the event of nuclear fallout? Here are five tips:

1. Shelter Indoors

The first step is to get indoors to shield yourself from the nuclear radiation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the walls of a building will shield you from much of the radiation—therefore reducing side effects. You should get indoors and to the basement if possible. In addition, seal up any doors or windows and turn off all air conditioner or heating units. If you have a fireplace, you should seal that up as well. The amount of radiation in the air will lessen over time, so stay indoors until police or authorities tell you it is safe to come out.

If you were previously outside, you will need to decontaminate yourself. You can do this by showering and changing into clean clothes. Discard the old clothes in a plastic bag and it seal it up before you get into the shower.

2. Cover Your Mouth and Nose

Even if you are indoors, you may want to cover your face to prevent the inhalation of radiation. You can use a clean scarf, blanket, or other cloth item you have. You can also use a medical mask, if you have one handy. Wear this for at least 24-hours, or until the radiation cloud is gone.

If you absolutely must go outside, cover your mouth with a damp towel or cloth. You can also use a gas mask or other breathing mask, if you have one nearby.

3. Clean Wounds

If you get any wounds during the event, make sure you clean them properly. Use soap and water, as well as hydrogen peroxide. Cover the wound with clean gauze and keep it covered during the fallout.

4. Use Stored Supplies

During and after the fallout, make sure you are only eating and drinking from stored sources. You do not want to eat or drink anything from an open source, because it will likely be contaminated with radiation. So be prepared and have at least three days' worth of supplies in your shelter.

5. Take Iodine

If you are near the nuclear source, you may have been told to take stable iodine. In humans, radiation is collected and stored in the thyroid. The iodine helps to overcrowd the thyroid, which makes it more difficult to collect radiation. Although simple, iodine tablets or liquids may help reduce the amount of radiation absorbed by the body; therefore reducing symptoms.

Even if you do not have a fallout shelter, you can help shield yourself from dangerous nuclear radiation. Use these tips, along with the advice of your local government, to help keep you and your family safe in the event of a nuclear explosion or attack.